h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

I recently became interested after reading about and watching several YouTube videos on adapting vintage lenses to modern digital cameras. My goal was to find and adapt inexpensive vintage lenses to my micro four thirds bodies. Of course, these lenses will be only manual focus but since this is purely an exercise in having fun and taking time to compose an image, buying a quality well built lens from yesteryear is a nice challenge. I found two interesting lenses on eBay, a Russian made Helios 44-2/58 and a Pentax Super Multicoated (SMC) Takumar 135/3.5 that I plan to use on my Lumix GX8 and GM5. The Helios 44-2/58 seems to have a cult following for producing very interesting images with great bokeh. Another Russian lens is the Jupiter series which seems to have quite a following as well. The Helios and Takumar were under $50 each.
What vintage lenses do you use and recommend?

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

I use an old 200mm micro nikkor lens I bought in the 70's. The nice thing about Nikon is that they made their lenses with the same mount. No adapter required. Just manual everything like the good old days. Of course it means you should know something about light and how exposure works. Lol

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

I have many great old lenses, accumulated over decades. At age 88 I don't get out much and need to pare down. Tell me your heart's desire and I will see if I can fill it.

Paul

cjstanley

If you're interested in macro lenses - the Vivitar Series 1 90mm or 105mm (also sold as Lester-Dine) is excellent.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Here is a link to on of my favorite vintage lenses: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-MAXXUM-AF-ZOOM-35-70MM-1-4-22-49MM-CAMERA-LENS-/162283534089?hash=item25c8da3709:g:F44AAOSw0fhXlVWU

You can buy them all day long for under $20 USD on e-bay. They were designed for film and can placed on modern 42.4 MP AF camera without using an adapter. This particular lens is very sharp over the limited 30~70mm range and includes a macro range.

FL Streetrodder

I have a Vivitar 135mm f2.8 screw mount lens that I purchased from a fellow Hogger that I use on my Pentax DSLR with an adapter. Nice sharp lens, but a bit on the heavy side for its size due to its all-metal construction. I also have an SMC Pentax-A 50mm f2.0 k-mount lens that I use occasionally. Both lenses perform well on my DSLR, but require mostly manual settings and focus.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have several of the Pentax Takumar lenses in different focal lengths. Some I bought on Ebay and several I purchased from a friend who was the original owner. One I particularly like is the 28/3.5- very sharp lens with good color and contrast. I have the Pentax 135/f3.5 but don't believe I have used it. The Pentax 50mm/1.4 gives very nice results. I have the Helios 44-2/58 and the Minolta Rokkor-X 50 mm 1.4- they both have spectacular bokah. I also have a few vintage Nikon lenses that were given to me: 35/2 50/1.4 and 135/2.8. I had the Sony a6000 and adapters for most of these lenses to fit that. In my opinion the a6000 has the best focus peaking so it was easy to use these lenses with that camera. But I sold the Sony a6000 and have not gotten back to using the vintage lenses.
However I do have a Pentax K-3/2 camera and adapters as well as Olympus M-5 with adapters so could still use the lenses. And I actually have old Nikon and Pentax film cameras. I agree that these old lenses are fun to use. And fairly inexpensive to buy.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Sorry- duplicate entry

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

[quote=h2odog]I recently became interested after reading about and watching several YouTube videos on adapting vintage lenses to modern digital cameras. My goal was to find and adapt inexpensive vintage lenses to my micro four thirds bodies. Of course, these lenses will be only manual focus but since this is purely an exercise in having fun and taking time to compose an image, buying a quality well built lens from yesteryear is a nice challenge. I found two interesting lenses on eBay, a Russian made Helios 44-2/58 and a Pentax Super Multicoated (SMC) Takumar 135/3.5 that I plan to use on my Lumix GX8 and GM5. The Helios 44-2/58 seems to have a cult following for producing very interesting images with great bokeh. Another Russian lens is the Jupiter series which seems to have quite a following as well. The Helios and Takumar were under $50 each.
What vintage lenses do you use and recommend?[/quot

I have some old Nikon F mount lenses which were used on my Nikon SLRs back to 1970. The Nikkor 35mm f2.8; 43-86mm f3.5; Vivitar S-1 70-210mm f3.5 Version-1; Vivitar 100mm f2.8 macro; Nikkor 135mm f2.8 QC; Tokina 28-80mm ATX. I am using all of them on my Nikon Df and D200 (except the Nikkor 135mm, it can't be mounted on the D200)

I also have a Olympus Pen-F 42mm f1.2 which I use it on my Olympus M4/3 camera plus a Kern-Switar 16mmf1.8 C-mount lens; A Schneider-Kreuznach 50mm f4.5 enlarger lens with extension tube for macro photo.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have my Hasselblad lenses and they work great

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I have a number of old Canon lenses adapted to the EF/EOS mount. FL 55mm f/1.2. FDn 135mm f/2.0. FDn 35 -105mm f/3.5 and FDn 500mm reflex f/8.0. It can be tricky with Canon lenses, but they can serve a creative function. They are not a cheap alternative to modern auto-focus lenses.

I also have the the Helios 44-2/58mm and others. These are all good for creative images, but not a cheap replacement for modern lenses.

JPL

I have lot of old lenses, more than 100, many are good and some are not. I have some Helios, Jupiter, Industar, Konica, Yashica, Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Takumar, Soligor, Pentax, Pentacon, Praktica, Vivitar, Minolta, Petri, Practicar, Ricoh, Vega, Zodel, Tair and many more brands. Most of them I use way to little, but that is due to the fact I have limited time for my photography hobby, not because I am using other lenses all the time. In fact I use primarily manual focus lenses, those old ones and also some newer ones.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

I am a sony alpha man, so I use some canon fd lenses with an adaptor. I only use what I consider premium lenses. in the 70's and 80's I couldn't afford them. now I set the camera to manual and have fun.

machia Loc: NJ

Rokkor 58mm f1.4
Rokkor 85mm f1.8
With a FotioX adapter I use them on my Canon DSLR .
I can shoot manually and in Aperature Priority .
The APS-C sensor turns these old gems into a 92.8mm and a 136mm , so the result is a nice portrait lens and a good telephoto . The low light capability and bokkeh are spectacular.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

For your intended use I'd recommend Pentax Takumar Super Multicoated (smc) screw mount (M-42) lenses. There are a few generations of ones that would work. Super Takumar, Super Multicoated Takumar. You might try more modern but still vintage Pentax K bayonet mount lenses, such as the original K-series, next M-series, and A-series lenses. Though those would need "fancier" adapter rings.

What do I use? Note my Tag Line. I actually use many vintage Pentax lenses normally on my Pentax DSLRs. DA-, FA-, F- and A- series are the most convenient and easiest to use. I also have a large number of K-, M-, and Screw Mount lenses from from my film days. I also have one really old Pentax lens with a deceptive name. I have a 35mm f/3.5 Auto-Takumar (M-42 Screw Mount) lens. I bought it for doing IR and possibly UV photography because it is either single coated or uncoated glass. It should theoretically transmit more IR and UV light than a modern lens. It is kind of cute, physically much smaller than a Super Multicoated Takumar 35mm f/3.5 lens that I also have (and many other SMC Takumar lenses). The negative issue for either of us for using an old Pentax Auto-Takumar lens is it has a pin on the back that does not contact anything on a DSLR or Bayonet Mount film Pentax camera. If you "flip" the preview or aperture switch, the lens stops down but does not go back to full iris with out de-mounting the lens. A pain. To really use this lens you have to use stop down metering and manually use the click stops, and lay off the "auto" switch. On later SMC Pentax Takumar lenses the lens stops down and re-opens fully after the shutter closes when used on either a Spotmatic Pentax Screw Mount or K Bayonet Mount Camera or on a Pentax DSLR. So stick with either MC or SMC Takumar lenses. Most are relatively cheap today, but not all! Probably more than you wanted to know.